The module introduces students to the basic counselling skills. It covers the main skills employed in the process of counselling, such as listening, reflecting challenging, crisis management etc. The module focuses on the theoretical assumptions and therapeutic aims that underpin the use of specific skills as well as on the practical use of them. It also encourages critical and reflective engagement with the use of counselling skills and their effects on the client and the client-counsellor relationship

The module objectives unfold in both the fall and spring semesters. The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake independently a research project on a particular topic of their choice. Students will determine an appropriate research question; review the literature on the subject of examination; develop, design and present a research proposal addressing the subject of examination; recruit participants; collect and analyze data; and finally create an APA-style paper.

This module covers in detail the practice of research methods in their field of study, with particular attention to the opportunities and challenges that researchers face in applying the methods of science to the study of human behaviour.  A great emphasis is also given to the ethical issues in research methods.  During the first lectures, students will explore the various designs that are used in quantitative research (e.g., experimental and quasi experimental design, correlational design, surveys). They will learn how to evaluate patients’ or research participants’ scores on standardized questionnaires and they will become familiar with developing research questions, formulating hypotheses, and selecting participants and measures for a study. In the second part of the module (weeks 6 to 11) students will be introduced to main approaches (methodology) in qualitative research and their application to student’s field of study.  Emphasis will be given to qualitative research methods like interviews, focus groups, participant observations and fieldwork notes. In general, students will be advised on how to select the most suitable methodological approach (qualitative or quantitative) to their problem, how to design their study, and how to proceed with data collection and, analysis, as well as with the discussion of their findings. Finally, students will discuss about ethics, and reliability and validity in research.

This module entails the practice of research methods in Psychology with particular attention to the strengths and weaknesses of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The course will be based on workshops by using specific examples and data collected by the students. The aim is for students to be able to comprehend and critically analyze relevant research designs as well as to make appropriate methodological decisions and carry out independent research. The course will build on knowledge acquired in CPS6707 (Introduction to Research Methods) and will entail applied research in various fields related to psychology.

This is a broad module as it requires basic knowledge of general psychology modules that is necessary in order to address the various client issues from different counselling perspectives. The module explores some of the most common applications of the counselling profession through the lens of the major counselling theories and their applications in clinical practice. Some of the client issues that will be discussed are: educational or career concerns, substance abuse problems, personal and interpersonal functioning, crisis management, etc. Evidence-based treatment and counselling techniques will be presented in accordance with the specific needs of the client populations. Case studies and role plays will be important components of the module agenda.

The module introduces students to the main issues in personal and professional development, such as self related issues affecting the perceptual style that is used when interacting with others at personal or professional level. Demonstrating these issues will be enhanced through a combination of teaching and learning methods and assessment components as well (i.e. the use of the personal learning journal that will facilitate the development of a helping relationship).

This module familiarizes students with the major theories and perspectives of counselling and psychotherapy and it strongly emphasizes the application of these theories to real-world practice. It also explores empirical evidence for the efficacy of the various theoretical approaches, ethical considerations, and current paradigms in professional counselling and practice. Some examples of the therapeutic approaches that will be addressed are Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Existential, Person-centred, Gestalt, reality, Cognitive-behaviour, and postmodern approaches) as they are used in practice. The main emphasis will be on critical analysis of the most frequently used counselling theories in professional practice.

This module examines key theoretical concepts, developmental psychopathology and chronic illness throughout childhood and adolescence period. Equal emphasis will be given on theory and practice and on exploring the inextricable link of predisposed tendencies and contextual environment such as early life experiences, family etc. on child developmental issues as well as risk factors, bonds with peers, intra-family conflicts and pedagogic system on adolescents. Important topics in the field of counselling children and adolescents such as chronic illness, Child abuse/Child protection/Safeguarding, marginalization, grief & bereavement, bulling as well as multicultural awareness and sensitivity, ethical and cultural considerations will be explored and discussed. In addition, students will get familiarized with major interventions strategies and their theoretical underpinnings as applied to individual counseling and psychotherapy with children and adolescents regarding their implications for case conceptualization and treatment planning. 

There will be a strong experiential component throughout, which will focus on case formulation, and exposure to various psychological approaches and interventions and engagement in practical exercises for skills development within the context of an ethical and diversity-sensitive practice. Students will also apply skills introduced in class through role-plays with classmates and will be responsible for presenting an ongoing case throughout the course that will foster critical thinking and highlight both the challenges and their growth as professional counsellors.

 Methods of learning include a combination of lectures, didactic instruction, discussion, individual and group experiential exercises, video clips, and role-play. Lectures are complemented with case study discussions to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to the critical evaluation of cases.

This module provides an up-to date and reflective perspective on the clinical applicability and recent developments of the DSM-V, ICD-11 and the Power and Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) as the current tools.

The course bridges theory and practice to advance skills and knowledge in a broad spectrum of psychopathological conditions and on designing a roadmap to clinical diagnosis. This will cover step by step the diagnostic principles and beyond diagnoses in order to be able to identify signs and syndromes, construct differential diagnosis, work on decision tree to select most likely provisional diagnosis and recognize comorbidity (simultaneous presentation of two or more disorders). Understand according to the Power and Threat Meaning Framework, the meaning and impact of power and threat on someone’s psychological profile Emphasis will be on some of the most critical issues of the diagnostic classification system, such as DSM construct validity versus clinical utility, medicalization and diagnostic inflation, links of diagnosis and therapeutic pathways and research practice- gap with the aim to increase students’ awareness and provoke critical thinking. In addition, a few things about psychological formulation which is also known as case conceptualization, is where an understanding of a client’s psychological difficulties is formed through assessment and integration of psychological theory, will be mentioned. Formulation aims to explain the development and maintenance of a client’s difficulties and informs a plan of intervention (Division of Clinical Psychology [DCP], 2011). It is a core competency of clinical psychologists and has been identified as an important skill for other mental health professions (Royal College of Psychiatry, 2017). Throughout the module students will engage in an ongoing review on the most recent scientific research literature and evidence-based assessments and treatments for the range of disorders considered, as well as precipitating & resilience factors, prevalence & incidence, prognosis as well as controversies and overlapping symptomatology with other disorders, context of one’s ill health, change of someone’s Health/ill health and cultural/socioeconomic factors.